Minneapolis will see its first residential mass timber project break ground this spring. This unique construction will combine boutique luxury living with sustainable resources all while building beautiful homes and bettering the planet. Todd Simning, lead developer on TMBR shared his passion behind the project and described what Minneapolis can expect.
“I don’t like doing what everyone else is doing,” says Todd, whose interest in TMBR was peaked when he realized how innovative this type of building would be for Minnesota. “Nobody was doing mass timber building on a large residential scale”. After Simning toured the Hines T3 office building in the North Loop (one of the first major multi-story U.S. office buildings to be built of wood in the last 100 years), he knew it was an opportunity to create something different for local residents.
Simning explained that it’s not just the beauty and natural look of the timber. “You are harvesting wood out of second and third growth forests with the wood growing fast at 8-15 years, and you are getting forest certification so it’s a sustainable harvesting…and at the same time more trees are planted.” Since trees naturally take in and contain carbon in their trunks while emitting oxygen, it is essentially taking carbon out of the atmosphere. This benefit is similar to taking cars off the road.
In addition to the extensive use of sustainable wood, TMBR’s façade is going to be mostly glass. Units will include 9’ tall windows. “Another thing that makes us different in the condo market is that we have floor to ceiling glass. When you look at most buildings in the area, the windows are so small compared to the inner spaces. By allowing more of that light in you actually pick up more of the mill work and the natural beauty. When you couple sunlight with the warmth of the wood it has such a warm and inviting, organic feel to it.”
Todd is also “very cognizant of the sound transmission” so TMBR will be built with thick walls and units that won’t touch. In addition to the elegance of the wood used, no detail will be spared with the units that will include Wolf ranges in the kitchen and Kohler hardware and bath accessories. TMBR has also partnered with Martin Patrick 3 and Martha O’Hara as preferred interior decorators for the signature collection that will include eight penthouses of the 51 total available units. Other amenities include a building caretaker and an onsite manager in addition to concierge service available during the business week to assist residents. There will also be four below ground levels for parking to accommodate both residents and guests. TMBR is the only 10 story building zoned in the area with unencumbered views of the city. Todd smiles while describing another unique amenity – a rooftop dog run where “in inclement weather, residents can stand under shelter and not need to get bundled up every day.” Todd is adamant about delivering custom, boutique luxury. Residents will find a more subdued style of living and a quaint and quiet environment where dining and nightlife is just a short walk in the North Loop.
While seeing is believing, the TMBR sales center allows potential residents to touch and feel the timber products, see the quality in the 120 lb. doors, the beautiful hardware, the luxurious waterfall sink on the kitchen island, as well as intricate details in the wood grain used throughout each unit.
Todd references a younger generation and note with admiration that they are continually requesting cleaner food, a healthier environment, and limited waste. He thinks the trends are heading in the right direction, and people are making conscious decisions to live better. “I want to be able to take this to other parts of the country. If we can do our first project well and have it be successful here in the Twin Cities, other developers are going to come in and tour it and actually get excited about a luxury, boutique condo or hotel project made out of mass timber.”
Once ground is broken, the TMBR build is estimated at 17 months. 51 units will be available starting at $525k. For more information, visit tmbrnorthloop.com.
